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134: What Chronic Illness Actually Is (and Isn't)
01/06/2026
134: What Chronic Illness Actually Is (and Isn't)
In this episode, I'm going back to basics and defining what chronic illness really means – because there's a lot of rubbish out there about what having a chronic condition means for your life. What it IS: • Any health condition lasting longer than 3 months that typically can't be completely cured • Includes ME, diabetes, fibromyalgia, MS, IBD, endometriosis – and yes, anxiety disorders too • Means managing something ongoing, with some days harder than others • Affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially What it ISN'T: • A full stop on your life or dreams • The same experience for everyone • Always visible to others • Something to feel guilty about • A sign you're broken or less-than When I was diagnosed with ME in 2009, I was told I'd never run again. Since then? I've completed two marathons. Because chronic doesn't mean static, unchanging, or over. You get to define what living well looks like for you – not your doctor, not well-meaning friends, not outdated ideas about chronic illness. YOU. Want to dive deeper? I'm creating a FREE mini SHIFT programme to help you take back the life chronic illness stole from you.
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